Major city · Papua New Guinea
Bulolo
Spend a half day in Bulolo to see the historic gold dredges and play a round on PNG's oldest golf course; stay overnight only if you need a rest before heading to Lae.
Bulolo is a small town in Morobe Province, known for its abandoned gold dredges and the country's oldest nine‑hole golf course. It is reachable by road from Lae and by three weekly PNG Air flights from Port Moresby. Most visitors view the sights in a few hours and either return to Lae or stay the night at Pine Lodge.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PGK
- Best months
- check
- avoid check
- Airport
- LAE
- Nights
- 0.5
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Melanesia ↗Malaria is present in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and parts of Vanuatu (not Fiji or New Caledonia): ask a travel clinic about tablets before you go.
- Papua New Guinea ↗Every visitor needs a visa (an online e-visa, or a visa on arrival for a short list of passports) and must file the free Digital Arrival Card before landing: check the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority for your passport before booking.
- Papua New Guinea ↗Some governments advise against travel to parts of the Highlands provinces because of tribal fighting; check your own government's current advice before you go.
- Papua New Guinea ↗Almost all land is customary: ask permission before walking, swimming or photographing, and expect to pay fees to landowners.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Bulolo112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bulolo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the kina (PGK, K).Papua New Guinea-wide
- SIM or eSIMDigicel has the widest coverage; Vodafone PNG and bmobile cover towns.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap.Papua New Guinea-wide
- TippingRestaurants and hotels: Not expected.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Papua New Guinea-wide
- SafetyGeneral PNG safety advice applies: travel with a reputable operator, keep valuables secure, and avoid night travel on unpaved roads.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and lodges; long-drop pit toilets in villages and on treks.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 111 ambulance · 110 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysOffices close on public holidays and for several days around Independence Day; many shops close Sunday afternoon; lodges may close in the wet season.Papua New Guinea-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLAE Lae Airport (PNG Air flights from Port Moresby to Bulolo (3 per week) connect via Lae).
- Getting aroundRoads link Bulolo to Lae; public motor vehicles (PMVs) run the route.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at Country Club RestaurantPGK 2–4
- Budget bedPine Lodge room, a night, per roomPGK 6,000
- Mid-range bedPine Lodge room, a night, per roomPGK 9,000
- High-end bedPine Lodge room, a night, per roomPGK 13,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget PGK 5,000 · Mid PGK 8,000 · High PGK 12,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LAE Lae Airport (PNG Air flights from Port Moresby to Bulolo (3 per week) connect via Lae)
Weather and climate
Bulolo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Roads link Bulolo to Lae; public motor vehicles (PMVs) run the route. No local taxis; walk to nearby sights.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Aseki and Watama villages
cautionDoor to door: ≈ 3 h each way
Road, about 100 km (62 mi) southwest; PMV or chartered 4WDRoad, about 62 mi (100 km) southwest; PMV or chartered 4WD
Cultural sites with traditional burial practices; remote, guide recommended
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Pine Lodge
17 rooms, colonial‑style, near the Baptist Church; basic facilities
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- PGK 5,000–7,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- PGK 8,000–11,000 excl. bed
- High
- PGK 12,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pine Lodge room1 × 1 night × PGK 9,000 | PGK 9,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × PGK 8,000 | PGK 16,000 |
| PNG Air flight Port Moresby → Bulolo (round‑trip)2 × PGK 350 · 2026 estimate, check schedule | PGK 700 |
| PMV ticket Lae ↔ Bulolo (one way)2 × PGK 40 · check | PGK 70 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | PGK 2,580 |
| Trip total≈ PGK 14,180 per person per day, bed included | PGK 28,350 |
basic amenities, no Wi‑Fi
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at Country Club Restaurant | PGK 2–4 |
| Meal at Bulolo Bakery | PGK 5–8 |
| Round of golf (9 holes) | PGK 15–20 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Security advice for PNG can change; check current travel advisories before visiting
- Road conditions may be poor after heavy rain; allow extra travel time
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Ambulance
- 111
- Fire
- 110
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BuloloBulolo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Plis go long dispela adresTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Ambulance111
- Fire110
Embassy
US consulate in Port Moresby; other embassies in Port Moresby.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Port Moresby → Bulolo (PNG Air): ≈ PGK 350 one‑way, check schedule
- PMV Lae ↔ Bulolo: ≈ PGK 35 one‑way
Say or show
- Gutpela dei — Hello (goo-tpeh deh)
- Tenkyu — Thank you (ten-kyu)
- Hau hamas? — How much? (how ha-mas)
- Wea i stap? — Where is the bathroom? (wea i stap)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bulolo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: check · avoid check · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a PNG Air flight schedule check for Bulolo connections
- Include Pine Lodge booking link and contact
- Link to Lae accommodation options for extended stays
Sources
- officialPNG Air
- secondaryWikivoyage: Bulolo, revision 4919841 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Bulolo
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